Shutter control for internal combustion engines



Jan. 5, 1932. F. c. BARGAR 1,839,525

SHUTTER CONTROL FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 29I 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 5, 1932; F. c. BARGAR 1,839,525

SHUTTER CONTROL FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed March 29, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 null@ i FREDERICK c. Banaan, or coLUMBirs, onto, AsssnonTo rinus ivinrnnnnonr Colvi- Patented Jan. 5, 1932 unirse `STATES Partnrorifice `PANY, F CHICGO, 'LLINQIS, A COBPRJ1T0N DELAWARE SHUTTER CONTROLFOR 'NTERNAL CLOMBUSTON ENGINES Application filed March $59,

The present invention relates to shutter. controls, and is particularlyconcerned With shutter controls'for radiators or enclosure oi internalcombustion engines.

lt is highly desirable that the shutters'for controlling the flow ofcooling fluid about an internal combustion engine be closed as soon asthe engine stops, to preserve all of the heat possible in the engine,and it is also desirable that the cooling apparatus be inoperative untilthe engine has reached a predetermined operating temperature, afterwhich the shutters must be opened to prevent overheating of the engine.Y

The present invention contemplates the accomplishment oi' the foregoingresults au tomatically by the use of means for actuating the shuttersresponsive to the running condition or" the motor, and thermal means forcontrolling said actuating means at a predetermined temperature.

. One of the objects of the invention is the provision or" a shuttercontrol adapted 'to close immediately upon the stopping of the 'engineand adaptcd'to be opened only When the engine is running and hassimultaneously reached a predetermined temperature.

Another object is the provision oil a shut# ter control provided With apositive actuating device adapted to be controlled by a ther mallyresponsive device at a temperaturel which may be predetermined With ahighrdegrec of accuracy.

Another object is the provisionof a ther-r mel control for shutterswhich is responsive to a. certain predetermined temperature Withoutvariations duel to Wear, adjustment of parts, or change in thecharacteristics or" the thermal device. 'i

Another object is the provision of a ther-v mal control which is alsoresponsive to the running condition of the motor, vand Which includesmeans releasedby the melting'ota actuating device for ieee'. Senn no.351,082.

controlleddevice, so that the parts Will be in proper position whenthethermallyresponsive element lbecomes solid again.

Another object is the provision of a shutter control of the classdescribed which. is adaptable alike .for use directly upon the motorblock in engines vhaving an air cooling system, or upon theradiator ifdesired, where a Water coolingsystem is used.

Other objects and advantages of the invention vwill be apparent from thefollowing description and from the accompanying drawings in Whichsimilar characters ofreference v.indicate similar parts throughout theseveral vievvs. i f

Referring to the drawings of Whichthere are two sheets:

Fig. lis a. diagraininaticview in elevation showing the inventionapplied to an internal combustion engine, having avvater cooling system;.i

Fig. 2 is a medial sectional View taken through thecontrollin'g deviceof Fig. l, With the parts inthe position corresponding to the position'Whenthe engine is cold and. not. runnine; f Fig.A 3 is a viewsimilar toFig. 2 With the parts .of the controllingdevice in the act of being`released at a lpredetermined temperature;. Y, A Fig. 4e is a Viewsimilar to'Fig. 2 `vvith'the parts in the position which they may assumewhen the engine is running, having already` reached a predeterminedtemperature so that the shuttersare open; if

Fig. 5 is a sectional View of a modiiiedform of mounting forthe device;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the pavvl used on thelatching device;

F ig. 7 is aside view of the plunger or mov-V able element `which islatched bythe paWl of Referring to Fig. 1, thedevice in the pres-vv entinvention ishereshown in conjunction WithV an internal combustion enginel0, hav.-A ing an oil sump l1, a fan 12, and a Water cooling radiator13. l kIt should be understood, however, that the invention may beusedas Well With engines employing air cooling sys tems, .in which case,the shutters 14 are ist was

adapted to control the flow of air about the internal combustion engine10, which is surrounded by the enclosure diagrammatically shown at 15. Y

The shutters may be of any conventional construction, including built-inor detachable shutters comprising a frame 16 and a plurality of sheetmetal shutters 14, having backwardly extending arms or flanges 17 attheir ends for pivotally mounting the shutters in frame 16.

At one endv of the shutters 14, the arms 17 Vmay be connected by ashutter bar 18, which is pivotally secured to each of the arms 17 andadapted to simultaneously actuate a plurality of shutters. The shuttersare preferably urged to'closed position by a coil spring 19 having oneend secured to the shutter bar 18 vand the other end secured to theframe 16. The frame 16 may be provided with a bell crank 2Opivotally'mounted thereon and having a pin and slot connection to theshutter bar 18, andthe bell crank 20 may be connected by means of aconnecting rod 21, having a turnbuckle 22,`to a bell crank 23 carried bythe'shutter actuating device. Y

The present invention preferably includes apressure responsive device 24adapted to actuate the shutters 14 to open position, re-

sponsive to the running of the engine 10, and.

the pressure responsive device 24 is preferably connected by a conduit25 to the oil pump shown diagrammatically at 26. The

pressure generated by the oil pump 26 is Vsubstantially constant anddoes not fluctuate with the dierent positions of the throttle, as is thecase where pressure devices are actu ated by suction from the intakemanifold of the engine. Y

f The pressure responsive device 24 is also provided with means forrendering the'same inoperative until the engine has reached apredetermined temperature, so that the shutters will remain closed tobring the engine to proper operatin temperature in the shortest possibletime. n order to more accurately predetermine the temperature at whichthe shutters 14 will be actuated, I prefer to use a thermallylresponsive solidV 27, which is adapted to melt at a predeterminedtemperature for vreleasing the pressure responsive device 24 andcontrolling the shutters;

The melting temperature ofY a metallic solid is a characteristic whichis always substantially the same," and consequently, the present shuttercontrol which depends upon the melting ofthe solid 27 will' always beactuated at-an accurately predetermined temperature; The temperature atwhich the solid 27 will ineltdepends upon its composin tion and it willbe understood by those skilled in the yart that'the percentages of lead,zinc, and other elements employed VAin the composition will determinethe melting temperature.V vAs the proper composition of a solid havingthe characteristics desired may be readily ascertained from tables whichgive the melting points ofalloys, no specific composition need bedisclosed here, but it is sufficient to say that the solid 27 shouldpreferably be so constituted that it will melt at about the mostefficient operating temperaure of the engine. rllhe device is thusadapted to maintain the shutters closed until the engine is brought uptothe proper `operating temperature, at which time the shutters areopened and-the cooling apparatus of the engine becomes effective. V

The shutter control device indicated in its entirety at 28 may beattached to the engine block or it may be attached to apart of' theradiator 13, but in either case, itis adapted to be heated by the heatderived from the engine. The control device 28 is preferably attached tothe engine block so as to more closely followv the temperatureconditions within the engine 10, most of the heat being transmitted tothe solid 27 by conduction through the metallic partsA of the engine andcontrol device.

The control devicemay consist of a casing 29Vhaving a pressure chamber30 which is open at one end 31 and adapted to be closed by the pressureAresponsive device or bellows 24. The casing 29 is provided with anannular cover flange 32 and the sylphon 24 may be provided with anannular attaching flange 33 adapted to be clamped between the cover 34and the cover flange 32 by the screw bolts 35, threaded'into the coverflange 32. The bellows 24 comprises an expansible sheet metal member ofconventional form, for which an ordinary diaphragm may be substituted,if desired. The lower end 35 of the bellows 24 may be closed by an endplate 36 welded or otherwise secured thereto and adaptedto support aplunger or shutter actuating member 37.

The cover 34 may comprise a cast metal member formed with an attachingflange 38 and with an annular guide member 39 surrounding a'centralaperture 40. The cover 34 is also provided with an upwardly projectinglug 41 for pivotally supporting ther bell crank 23 by means of a rivet42, and the bell crank 23 is provided with an arm 43 having a curvedsurface 44 for pivotally and slidably engaging the outer end 45 of theplunger 37. The opposite arm 46 of bell crank 23 is provided with anaperture 47 for receiving-the hooked end 48 of one part of connectingrod21. The cover 34 may also'be provided with an aperture 49 permittingfree passage of air from the interior of the sylphon 24. y v

The pressure chamber 30 may be provided with one or more apertures 50leading to a bore 51, which isV independently threaded at 52 forreceiving a fitting 53 adapted to be secured to the conventional metalpipe 25 by means of the internally threaded sleeve 55. The metal pipeisconnected tothe oil pump 26 to transmit pressure from the vpump 26when the-pump is actuated by the engine. n f

Y The plunger 37 .may comprise a metal member having an uppercylindrical portion 54 adapted to be slidably received inthe bore 40 ofcover 34. At its opposite end the plunger 37is provided with flat sides56 formingY shoulders 57 against which the bottom plate 36 of sylphon 24may be secured by solden ing or other convenient fastening means. Theflattened portion 56 of plunger 37 is adapted to be-slidably received ina complementary aperture-58 formed in a lug-59 carried by the interiorof theV casingand substantially aligned with the center of the bore 40,torming a second guide member for plunger 37 .v The lower end 60 of theplunger 37 may be beveled to prevent interference with other parts ofthe mechanism,l and to cam'the mechanism back into Vproper'position whenthe plunger is moved into theposition ot Fig. 2. The plunger 37 is alsoprovided with a transverse groove 61 which may be of substantiallycircular cross-section and formed on the opposite side with roundededges for permitting the plunger 37 to cam 'out a pawl 62, further to bedescribed. The pawl 62 may lcomprise a metal member formed with one ortwo laterally projecting arms 63 having eurved'end surfaces 64 which are'complementary to the groove 6l, and havin@ a weight 65 located rom theapertures 66 which receive a pin for pivotally support ing pawl 62 onlever 67. The arms 63 and 64 are separated by a slot 68, the base of'which is indicated atlits top in Fig. 6 as a stop riember 69, andthelower part -offthe weight 65, adjacentslot 68, constitutes a sec-y ondstop member indicated by numeral 70. rli`he pawl 62 is pivotally mountedupon'aV lever 67 with the base ol the slot 68 sufficiently spaced Jromlever 67 to permit aslight lost motion between the' pawl and lever, theamount of lost motion'being determinedby the relative positions of thestop surfaces 69 and 70. The lever 67 comprises a member which isadapted to extend longitudinally of the casing 29 and which is pivotallysupported within casing 29 upon an inwardly projecting lug 71 by a pin72. The upper end of lever 67 pivotally supports the pawl 62 while thelower end may be curved to correspond to the adjacent wall of casing 29,and adapted to extend into the metallic solid 27 which is adapted tomelt at apredetermined temperature. Y In orderv to reduce the amount ofthe alloy 27, the casing 29 may be `reduced in size at its lower end,forming a relatively small metal chamber 73, of suliicient size -toreceive the lower end of lplunger 37 when the parts are in the' positionof F ig.y 2, and to permit' the necessary pivotal movement of lever 67when the parts are in the position of Fig. 3. The exterior surface ofthe lower end 74 of casing 29 may be cylindrical and provided with .athreaded portion 7 5 of reduced size,adapted' to be received in athreaded bore I7 6 in thefengine block 7 7 or in a similar bore 78 in ametalviitting 79 having an aperturefSO'or receiving one of the studbolts 8l` with which the engine block 77 is provided. The fitting 79 isthus adapted to ermit the attachment of the shutter control ing deviceto ans'engine block by means of the usual bolts without forming andthreading a new bore. It will thus be observed that the present deviceVis adapted to be secured in heat conducting relation with a part of theinternal combustion engine, so that heat is conducted through themetallic parts of the casing 29 to the metallic alloy 27, which melts ata predetermined temperature. vThe operation of the present invention asfollows :When the engine is cold and the motor is not running, th-eparts are in the position shownin Figs. l and 2, the shutters A14 beingmaintained closed by the spring` 19 and the plunger 37 being latched inthe position of Fig. 2 by the pawl 62, which is in turn secured byengagement of the stopsuriace with lever 67, the 'lower end of which issecured in the frozen solid 27. f

lilhenV the motor is started the pressure generated in the oil pump 26is transmitted by means o'il conduit 25 and the oil contained in theconduit 25 and chamber 30, to the bellows 24, but outward movement ofthe plunger 37 is prevented by the pawl 62, and consequently, the oilpressure is ineffective to open the shutters until the engine hasreached a pre-determined temperature. yVVhenthe engine has `reached theprede termined temperature at which the alloy 27 melts, the melting ofthe alloy 27 will permit the lever 67 to pivot in a clockwise direction,

and this pivotal movement will be aided by the upward` thrust of Ltheoil on sylphon 24 and its bottom plate 36.

The yoil pressurein .the chamber 30 will then bel effective to move theplunger 37 upward, the pawl 62 moving with plunger 37 until the partsreach the position of Fig. 3 when continuedmotion of plunger 37 camspawl 62 outward and moves the lever 67 to the position of Fig. 3.

f The weight 65 provided at the right hand` side ofthe pawl 62 tends tourge the pawl 62 into engagementfwith the plunger 37 and the weight ofthe lever 67 which is pivoted at a point onfone side of its center ofgravity, causes the lever 67 to .tend to return to the vposition ofFigs. 2 and 4. f j

Consequently, the plunger 37passes from the position olf Fig.'3 to thatof Fig. 4, rotating ybell crank 23 oounterclockwise, bell crank stop 20countercloclrivise and moving shutter bar.'

i8 downward to open shutters 14. The lever 67 and paWl 62, however, moveto the position shown in Fig. Ll, the-lever 67 taking substan-V tiallythe same position as in Fig. The

Weight of the lever 67v being greater 7Lhan the the 'solid 27 will'freeze with the lever 67 in the proper position, and the paivl 62 isalso urged into engagement With the plunger 37 at such an angle thatwhen the plunger 3'? re- Y turns to theV position ot Fig. 2, tliepaivlWill naturally be drawn into the groove (il to re- V.tain the plunger inthe position ot Fig. 2.

if the engine should cool during the running of the motor by reason ofunusually cold Weather, the Vmechanism of the control device will bemaintained in the proper position for the nent operation, and thethermal solid will freezeivith the parts in the initial position. p

lhen the. motor is stopped, the sliu ters :l will close at once due tothe cessation of oil pressure generated Vby pump 26 and practically allot the lieat will be kept Within the internally combustion vengine tokeep the engine Warm for the next starting. operation.

" lWhen the motor is again started the same cycle of events Will berepeated.

lt Will thus be observed .that the present device is adapted to closethe shutters as soon as the engine stops and shutters constructed'according to the present invention are also adapted to be opened at atemperature which may be very accurately predetermined since' itdependsupon the melting point of a metallic solid. y

The present device is'also simple and the thermal controlY cannot changeits characteristics even after a long period'ot use.

lli/virile l have illustrated a preferred embodiment et my invention,many modifications may be made Without departing from the spiritof theinvention, and I do not Wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself ot all changes Withinthe scopev ol the appended claims. 4 l'laving thus described myinvention, what I claim is new and desire torsecu're by LetH ters Patentot the United States is: Y l. ln a shutter control for regulating thflow ot air about internal combustion engines, the combination of anenclosure with shutters for controlling flow oi"- air-about an enginepart, actuating means responsive to the running condition of the engineto actuate said shutters, and means released byk yactuating means.

the melting ota metallic solid responsive to heat from said engine`forcontrolling said f 2. ln a shutter control -for regulating the flowof air about internal combustion engines, the combination of anenclosure with shutters Atoicontrolling'flow oi air about an enginepart, actuating means responsive to the running condition ofy the engineto actuate said shutters, and a latching device held by a metallic solidadapted` to be melted at a predetermined engine temperature.

3. ln a shutter control 'for regulating the flow of air about internalcombustion engines, the combination of an enclosure with shutters forcontrolling flow of air about an engine part, actuating means responsiveto the running condition of the engine to actuate said shutters, and alatcliing device held by a metallic solid'adapted to be melted at a predetermined engine temperature, comprising a member securedby saidsolid and a paWl adapted to permit said member to return to its initialposition after an unlatching operation. y

ll. ln a shutter control for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a plurality oit shutters ,with a pressure responsivedevice v,actuated by oil pressure for actuating said shutters,releasalolel securing means for rendering said pressure 'responsivedevice i11- operative, and a solidiiied metallic substance adapted torelease said securing means When a ypredetermined engine temperature isreached.

5. In a shutter control for internal combustion engines, the combinationof a plurality of shutterswith a pressure responsive devicev actuated byoil pressure orfactuating said shutters, a paWl torsecuring said pressure device in inoperative position and a member secured in a metallicsolid adapted to melt at Apredetermined engine temperature, torsupporting said paWl.

6. In a shutter control for internal combustion engines, the combinationof a plurality of shutters with a pressure responsive device actuated byoil pressure for actuating said shutters, a paWl forsecuring saidpressurev device in inoperative position and a member secured in a solidadapted to melt at predetermined engine temperature, for supporting saidpaWl, said member being adapted to return to its initial position aftermelting ot said solid.

7. In a shutter control, the combination oiz plurality of shutters witha thermal control comprising a metallic solid adapted to be melted atpredetermined engine temperature, and-,an element for controlling saidshutters, vsaid element being secured by said lsolid and adapted to bereleased by the melting thereof. Y y 8. In a shutter control, thecombination of a plurality cic shutters With a` thermal controlcomprising a metallic solid adapted to be melted at predetermined enginetemperature, an element 'for controlling said shutters, said elementbeing secured by said solid and adapted to be released by the meltingthereof, and a lost motion connection between said element and saidshutters whereby said element may return to its initial position aftermelting of said solid for securing the same again on freezing of saidsolid. v

9. In a shutter control, the combination of a casing with a pressureresponsive member carried by said casing', a movable member foractuating shutters, a metallic solid adapted to melt at a predeterminedtemperature, in said casing, and a latching device adapted to securesaid member in a predetermined position.

1Q. In a shut-ter control, the combination of a casing with a pressureresponsive member carried by said casing, a movable member for actuatingshutters, a metallic solid adapted to melt at predetermined temperature,in said casing, and a latching device adapted to securesaid member in apredetermined position, comprising a lever and a pawl, said lever beingreleasably secured by said solid.L

l1. In a shutter control, the combination of a casing with a pressureresponsive member carried by said casing, a movable member for actuatingshutters, a solid adapted to melt at predetermined temperature, in saidcasing, and a latching device adapted to secure said member in apredetermined position, comprising a lever, a pawl, said lever beingreleasably secured by said solid, and a. lost motion connection betweensaid pawl and lever.

12. In an engine shutter control, the combination of a casing with anexpansible member carried by said casing, a plunger slidably mounted insaid casing, and adapted to be moved by said expansible member, and asolid adapted to be melted at a predetermined engine temperature, forpreventing movement of said plunger.

13. In an engine shutter control, the combination of a. casing with anexpansible member carried by said casing,a plunger slidably mountedinsaid casing, and adapted tobe moved by said eXpansible member, a solidadapted to be melted at a predetermined engine temperature, forpreventing movement of said plunger, a lever pivoted in said casing andhaving a part secured in said solid, and means carried by said lever forengaging said plunger.

14. In an engine shutter control, the combination of a casing with aneXpansible member carried by said casing, a plunger slidably mounted insaid casing, and adapted to be moved by said eXpansible member, a solidadapted to be melted at a predetermined engine temperature, forpreventing movement of said plunger, a lever pivoted in said casing andhaving a part secured in said solid, and

means carried by said lever for engaging said i plunger, comprising apawl having a lost motion connection to said lever to permit return of'said lever after releasing said plunger.

15. In an engine shutter control, theycombination of a. casing, metalbellows within the casing communicating with the exterior thereof andsubject to compression by pressure within the casing, means forsupplying fluid under pressure to said casing when the engine isrunning, andY means including a low melting substance for preventingcompression of the bellows until heat from the engine melts saidsubstance.

16. In an engine shutter control, the combination of a metal bellows,means operated by the engine when running adapted to compress thebellows, latch means adapted to prevent the compression of the bellows,and a fusible substance adapted to be melted by heat from the engine andadapted to provide a temporary abutment forholding the latch inoperative position.

17. In an engine shutter control, the combination of a metal bellows,means operated by an engine when running adapted to move the bellowsto'V operate the shutters, latch means adapted to prevent such movementof the shutter, and a fusible substance adapted to be melted by lheatfrom the engine and adapted to provide a temporary abutment for holdingthe latch in operative position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of March,1929.

FREDERICK C. BARGAR.

